Qualifier Roundup: Washington Squads on the Road

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington Teams at PNQ and Red Rock</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pacific Northwest Qualifier is in its final day of championship bracket play; several teams have a chance at excellent finishes in the 15-17 age division. Several 18U teams in Las Vegas are battling on day 2 of pool play before bracket play on Monday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUALIFIER</strong>- <em>Gold Bracket Contenders</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 USA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dakine 17 Surf.</strong> Two teams from the Pacific Northwest have pushed into the eGold Bracket of the 17 USA Division and remain hopeful of taking the championship home. The first is Dakine 17 Surf; the team brings a 5-1 record into day three with a single loss to CSA 17 Navy from the Rocky Mountain Region. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231726' first='Isabelle' last='Foote']</strong> was connecting with right-side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='266132' first='Grace' last='Williams']</strong> for scoring chances in a 2-1 win over CPA Drew 17 on day one; Foote has excellent location, and Williams was hammering the ball off the block and down the line. Foote was hustling on defense, getting on the court for one-handed digs and popping up off-speed shots from the CPA attackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CRU VBC 17 MAX. </strong>The team with players from across Central Washington posted a 4-2 record on its journey to the Gold Bracket. CRU knocked off Mad Frog 17 National Black in a crucial victory on day 2. Central Washington head coach Mario Andaya leads the squad from the bench as they head into the Gold Bracket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='461185' first='Macie' last='Smart']</strong> has been a terminal opposite, delivering powerful lefty kills from setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249189' first='Ava' last='Jo Berry']</strong>. 6'4" MB <strong>Alanna Marrs</strong> affects opposing hitters' swings, even if she doesn't record a block or touch. Attackers were choosing to tip or roll, and CRU used the opportunity to transition and score effectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 USA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dakine 15 Surf.</strong> Dakine brings a 4-2 record into bracket play and tallied an impressive 2-0 win over Shockwave 15 on day two. The defense of DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524938' first='Payton' last='Elmore']</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459090' first='Analiah' last='Lauifi']</strong> made a difference for their team. Elmore was extraordinarily steady, and Lauifi was rock solid in serve receive. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486981' first='Elliana' last='Smith'] </strong>ran the offense effectively at Eastern Washington University in Cheney for Surf; the team also had victories over CG 15 Blue and NCVC 15-1 Blue. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Red Rock Rave- 18's Roundup</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several Washington teams in the 18-age division traveled to Vegas to compete in the Red Rock Rave 2 Qualifier at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CPA 18 Nicole. 18 Open. (1-2) Day 1 pool play. </strong>The team from Spokane dropped a tough decision to Mad Frog on day 1, losing the second set 24-26 after having a chance to serve it out. [player_tooltip player_id='251539' first='Ellie' last='DeAndre'] was solid out of the pipe and tooling the block from the pin; middles [player_tooltip player_id='402536' first='Katherine' last='Michelbook'] and Abbie Flerchinger came up with essential blocks and touches in a victory over Club Cactus 18-Mizuno. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dakine 18-1 Surf. 18 USA. 2-1 Day 1. </strong>The Dakine 18-1 Surf has been battling against top competition throughout the club season. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259678' first='Kate' last='Herrick'] </strong>recently inked her commitment to play at Gonzaga University; she had established a great connection with middle blockers <strong>Dani Brown</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245164' first='Manaia' last='Toa']</strong>. The team handled Balboa Bay 18 and CVVC 18-1 on the first day at Red Rock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ignite Volleyball Academy 18-1. 18 American. 2-1 Day 1. [player_tooltip player_id='446891' first='Aimee' last='Brester'] </strong>plays an excellent brand of volleyball; the senior setter is always in control of the offense and is strong defensively, with exceptional placement on her sets. Ignite knocked off the aptly named Underrated VC 18 in a three-set thriller on day 1, 27-29,25-20,15-12. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PSVBA 18 Legacy. 18 Liberty. (3-0) Day 1 pool play.</strong> PSVBA 18 Legacy played well at the PNQ last weekend and backed it up on day 1 at the Red Rock Rave. Omin, Hanai, and Pulse made up the 3 victories for the team playing in the American Division. PSVBA is led by junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249381' first='Peyton' last='Ensign']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445600' first='Mia' last='Linden']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='192532' first='Rylie' last='Hangca']</strong> on the right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Renovators 18 Kari. 18 Open. 1-2 day 1 pool play.</strong> The two 2025 D-1 recruits for RVC had a terrific first day. OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='266134' first='Aspyn' last='Reed']</strong> is committed to GCU and made athletic plays on the pin as an attacker and a blocker. 6'2" MB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233895' first='Ava' last='Durgan']</strong> is a San Diego verbal and a main offensive and defensive presence for RVC. Durgan runs a quick tempo at a high level, and the team is at its best running in system with those two dynamic juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Apex NW U18 Summit. 18 American. (3-0) Day 1 pool play.</strong> Apex is led by strong, front-line play from OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259924' first='Haylee' last='Koetje']</strong> and RS <strong>Ava Langstraat, </strong>with setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734256' first='Emmy' last='Lee'] </strong>and <strong>Abby Udock </strong>running the offense.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='259925' first='Mya' last='VanderYacht'] </strong>is a terrific libero who will play her college ball at Central Washington. A big day 1 win in a tight 2-1 match over Team Velocity 18 Black Power Summit propelled Apex into the top day 2 pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->